The two Americans lost their lives.

Ten years after the avalanche tragedy in Sölden

On January 5, 2015, the skiing world was shaken by a tragedy that claimed the lives of two young talents from the US ski team.

06 January 2025

From: sn

Bryce Astle, then 19 years old, and Ronnie Berlack, 20 years old, died in an avalanche accident in Sölden. The two young skiers were in Europe with their team to prepare for the coming season. On that fateful day, they and four teammates decided to enjoy fresh powder snow away from the secured slopes.

The terrain near the Rettenbach glacier, a venue for the opening World Cup races, seemed harmless at first glance. But appearances were deceptive: an avalanche triggered by their movements buried the two young athletes under almost ten meters of snow. The four other skiers remained unharmed.

The Legacy of Astle and Berlack

The tragedy was not only a shock for the US ski team, but also a wake-up call for the entire winter sports world. Despite an avalanche warning level of three out of five, the athletes had moved away from the secured slopes without the appropriate equipment. To prevent such accidents in the future, the Bryce and Ronnie Athlete Snow Safety Foundation (BRASS) was founded in memory of the two.

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The organization is committed to raising awareness about the dangers of freeriding and avalanche prevention. The tragedy has also left its mark in Sölden itself: Today, bilingual warning signs with pictures of Astle and Berlack remind winter sports enthusiasts never to underestimate the risks in the terrain.

Promising careers

Bryce Astle was considered an up-and-coming talent with exceptional potential. The young skier from Sandy, Utah, had only attracted attention a few weeks before the tragedy with a series of podium finishes in FIS races. Ronnie Berlack from Franconia, New Hampshire, was part of the renowned National Training Group of the US Ski Team and was valued for his versatility and technique. Ten years after the tragedy, all that remains is the memory of Astle and Berlack and the legacy of their foundation.